Guardian columnist backs Johnson for PM

Polly Toynbee argued in Friday’s Guardian that Johnson was a ‘politically wise man around whom the Cabinet could gather. He has the manner and warmth to admit Labour errors’.

She cited Ipsos Mori pollster Ben Page, who said that, although that ‘Labour would still almost certainly lose’ under Johnson, it would not be ‘the catastrophic loss that has some Westminster doomsters asking if ‘the Labour brand’ is dead.

‘Johnson may not win, but he would bring back Labour voters,’ Toynbee wrote, adding: ‘This is Labour’s last chance.’